FORESTRY COMMISSION.

Evening Star, Issue 15187, 19 May 1913, Page 5

FORESTRY COMMISSION.

TREE-PLANTING BY PRISONERS. SATISFACTORY RESULTS. [Pee United Press Association,] WELLINGTON, May 19. _Mr Jordan, Undor-Secrotary of Justice, in the course of evidence before, tho Forestry Commission to-day, stated that the employment of prison'labor by the department at tree-planting had been satisfactory. It seemed to be the only thing that had any reformative influence whatever on prisoners. Somo prisoners did not like tho camps, and had asked to be taken back to gaol. They found that they had to work too hard, and wanted to be back in towns, where they could hear tho latest news. It had to bo remembered that the cost of prisoners in camps was almost double that_ of the average in gaols. Tha Justice Department was not allowed anything for the work of prisoners. The Hamper tree-planting camn was the least possible of those run hr tin department. “It occurred to Vnj,” witness added, “that we might cisco it Up ; in fact, wo propose to do so, aa far as the department is concerned.” In reply to questions, witness said it would be better to have one oamn in each island, and concentrate on tree-plan tin o by means of prison labor. " ' u x)r Hay, Inspector of Mental Hospitals and Prisons, quoted figures shewing that in 1911 the cost of plantin’" 1,000 trees, including the clearing of ground and digging pits, was £1 os at Waiotapu, £2 6s at Hanmer, and £1 19s at Waiopa.